The Regulations, Maintenance Forms, Records, and Publications subject is where the General test asks for exact rules. These are the ones worth knowing cold, each from the current text of 14 CFR.
Privileges and limits
- A mechanic with airframe and powerplant ratings may not do any repair or alteration of an instrument (14 CFR 65.81).
- To exercise the privileges without an FAA finding of ability, a mechanic must have worked under the certificate for at least 6 of the preceding 24 months; otherwise the FAA must find the mechanic able to do the work (14 CFR 65.83).
- A change of permanent mailing address must be reported to the FAA in writing within 30 days (14 CFR 65.21).
- Annual inspections are performed by a mechanic who holds an inspection authorization (14 CFR 65.95).
Record entries
- An entry for maintenance or alteration includes a description of the work, the completion date, and, when approved, the signature, certificate number and kind of certificate of the person approving it. The signature approves only the work performed (14 CFR 43.9).
- An annual inspection entry includes the aircraft's total time in service. If the aircraft is found unairworthy, the inspector gives the owner a signed and dated list of discrepancies (14 CFR 43.11).
- After a major repair or alteration, a copy of FAA Form 337 goes to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch within 48 hours of approval for return to service (14 CFR part 43, appendix B).
- Records of work performed are kept until the work is repeated or superseded, or for 1 year after it (14 CFR 91.417).
Airworthiness directives and data
- Airworthiness directives are legally enforceable rules under 14 CFR part 39. A manufacturer's service bulletin becomes mandatory for a part 91 aircraft when an AD cites it.
- A major repair needs FAA-approved data; acceptable data is not enough (FAA-H-8083-30B).
- A part made under a Parts Manufacturer Approval is marked "FAA-PMA" (14 CFR 45.15).
Practice FAA Aviation Mechanic General questions with explanations and timed mock tests.